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WASHINGTON, DC — Consumers Union commends the Senate Commerce Committee for including life-saving safety provisions in the NHTSA reauthorization legislation approved today.
The bill now has vital provisions to prevent backover incidents, including research and testing of backup warning devices and gathering of data related to non-crash non-traffic incidents – including backover and power window injuries and deaths. This effort by the committee comes at a time when these incidents appear to be on the rise as vehicle size and corresponding blind spots increase. According to Kids and Cars, 58 children were backed over last year, more than one a week, often by a relative in their own driveway, and often by a larger size vehicle such as a van or an SUV.
“More than one child a week dies after being backed over by a large vehicle; these tragic deaths are preventable and the Senate Commerce Committee has taken the critical first step in preventing future tragedies,” said Sally Greenberg Senior Product Safety Counsel at Consumers Union.
This bill also includes important provisions addressing the growing problem of vehicle rollovers and vehicle incompatibility.
Consumers Union strongly supports the important traffic and automobile safety measures contained in the NHTSA reauthorization bill. “This legislation will help ensure that highway and traffic safety remains an area of paramount importance for the federal government in the coming decade,” said Greenberg.
“Consumers Union applauds the leadership of Senators McCain and Hollings and their staff on these vital safety issues.”

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Consumers Union (202) 462-6262Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization, serving only the consumer. We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health, nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.